Dané van Niekerk, the former South African women’s cricket captain and a globally recognized allrounder, has made a powerful return to the domestic circuit. After stepping away from international cricket, van Niekerk has re-entered the spotlight with WSB Western Province in the Hollywoodbets Pro Series, bringing with her a wealth of experience, leadership, and undeniable passion for the sport.
For van Niekerk, this comeback has been more than just a return to professional cricket—it has been about rekindling her deep connection with the game. Speaking candidly about her hiatus, she revealed the emotional journey of getting back on the field, “Yeah, it’s been interesting. Obviously, I haven’t played before this. I haven’t played cricket properly for a year, a year and a half, competitively. So, I didn’t quite know what to expect, but so far, I’ve really enjoyed it. I know now I’ve really missed the game.”
Her time away from the game allowed her to reflect on her career and recharge mentally and physically. The responsibility of returning to a team environment proved to be a motivating force, “Doing nothing for a year, a year and a half and now having that responsibility again, it really helped me.
“I’ve just been enjoying it. I came into domestic cricket again with no personal expectations. There was no thinking of going further than just playing for Western Province. My goal was just to help them win a double and so far, it’s been going well. The team has been going really well. So hopefully that can continue.”
Van Niekerk’s return has been a game-changer for Western Province, as her leadership and on-field prowess have elevated the team’s performance. Currently, the squad holds first place in the Pro 20 standings and sits third in the Pro 50—a testament to her influential presence.
Her batting form has been particularly impressive. Before the 2025 season resumed, she had already scored 214 runs in just five T20 matches, including a stunning century and a half-century. Despite these personal achievements, van Niekerk remains grounded, “I didn’t know I was at the top of the runs table. That’s pretty cool. But again, like I said there are no personal expectations. I just want to add value to the environment.”
She emphasized the importance of sharing her knowledge with younger players and contributing beyond just her performances, “I feel like I’ve got a lot to give knowledge-wise and tactical knowledge and all those things, and then the game itself. So, I think that’s just the idea of kind of giving back in that way.”
Throughout her international career, van Niekerk rarely had the opportunity to immerse herself in domestic cricket. Now, she is rediscovering the depth of talent within South Africa, “I’ve been pleasantly surprised. When I played for South Africa, I didn’t get the opportunity to play a lot of domestic cricket. You stay in this bubble with the South African team, and you don’t see all the talent out there.”
Her observations suggest a promising future for South African women’s cricket, “There’s definitely a lot of talent out there, young ones. Even some of the older players have been very impressive – players that have played for South Africa as well. It’s still putting in the performances. There’s a healthy pool of players that can be picked from and certainly putting their hands up and making the selectors notice them, which is very good.”
This weekend promises to be a thrilling contest as the Western Province prepares to face the DP World Lions in both formats. The last encounter between the two sides ended in a split, with the Lions winning the One-Day match by 88 runs, while Western Province struck back with a dominant 55-run T20 victory. Van Niekerk’s half-century played a pivotal role in securing that T20 triumph.
With a decorated international career under her belt, van Niekerk’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable: 1 Test, 107 ODIs, and 86 T20Is, amassing 4,074 international runs and 204 wickets. Her last appearance for South Africa came in September 2021 against the West Indies.
Now, as she dominates the domestic scene and inspires the next generation, her story continues to evolve. For van Niekerk, the focus remains clear—contribute to the growth of women’s cricket, both on and off the field, and leave a legacy that transcends personal accolades.
(Quotes sourced from SuperSport)
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